Will Grading Principal Improve Pittsburgh Schools?

<h1>Will Grading Principal Improve Pittsburgh Schools?</h1>Author: <a title="Patricia Hawke" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/patricia-hawke/6574.htm">Patricia Hawke</a> Pittsburgh Schools have not shown significant improvement as measured by the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) assessment. Due to the district’s inability to show improvements mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act for 4 consecutive years, Pittsburgh Schools were required to make significant changes in the 2006-2007 school year. Those changes included closing 22 schools, opening accelerated learning academies, and adding more k-8 schools.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt felt the “slow improvement” of Pittsburgh Schools also required some other big changes, starting at the top. Pittsburgh Schools will institute a district wide administrator training and management plan called the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership System for Excellence (PULSE). PULSE will require greater support for new principals, enhanced training for potential administrators, and tougher standards on principal evaluations. But the most notable component is the plan to eliminate annual step increases, and institute a pay for performance plan, for all Pittsburgh Schools’ principals.

Pittsburgh Schools applied for an $8.9 million federal grant to fund the program, and anticipate a response in June of this year. If the grant is approved, the traditional step increases Pittsburgh Principals are used to will be replaced by a $2000 increase in base pay. That would be tied to progress in meeting 28 performance-based goals. The other part of the incentive would include bonuses of up to $10,000 for demonstrated academic growth among students. This would position Pittsburgh Schools’ principals to make much more than with the step increase system.

Pittsburgh Schools initiated the pay for performance plan last year with the principals of the eight new accelerated learning academies. However, it is too soon to tell how much the students have benefited in that short period of time. Pittsburgh Schools have shown very small, very slow, improvement in meeting the AYP targets. Overall advances of 3% in 5th grade math and a record 9% in 8th grade reading do little to put Pittsburgh Schools where they need to be.

Is the pay for performance plan the answer? A rating scale using “rudimentary”, “emerging”, “proficient” and “accomplished” will be used in areas of academics, community relations and academic success. Pittsburgh Schools is one of many urban districts to grapple with the issues of meeting rising academic standards. The question of offering both administrators and teachers merit pay has bee a hot topic between unions and academic observers for decades. While the issue of bonus pay for performance has not often been used with Pittsburgh Schools’ teachers, if it is successful with the principals, teachers may not be far behind.

Will it work? Opponents have suggested that the academic world operates differently than the corporate one, and that incentives won’t work. Others insist that the lack of performance-based pay is one of the biggest problems with Pittsburgh Schools and public education as a whole. Stay tuned. Grading principals may be the most notable reform Pittsburgh Schools institute this year.

About the Author: Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit <a href="http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Pennsylvanuia/Pittsburgh/index.html">Pittsburgh Schools</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/will-grading-principal-improve-pittsburgh-schools-156084.html" title="Will Grading Principal Improve Pittsburgh Schools?">Will Grading Principal Improve Pittsburgh Schools?</a>

Pittsburgh Schools have not shown significant improvement as measured by the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) assessment. Due to the district’s inability to show improvements mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act for 4 consecutive years, Pittsburgh Schools were required to make significant changes in the 2006-2007 school year. Those changes included closing 22 schools, opening accelerated learning academies, and adding more k-8 schools.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt felt the “slow improvement” of Pittsburgh Schools also required some other big changes, starting at the top. Pittsburgh Schools will institute a district wide administrator training and management plan called the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership System for Excellence (PULSE). PULSE will require greater support for new principals, enhanced training for potential administrators, and tougher standards on principal evaluations. But the most notable component is the plan to eliminate annual step increases, and institute a pay for performance plan, for all Pittsburgh Schools’ principals.

Pittsburgh Schools applied for an $8.9 million federal grant to fund the program, and anticipate a response in June of this year. If the grant is approved, the traditional step increases Pittsburgh Principals are used to will be replaced by a $2000 increase in base pay. That would be tied to progress in meeting 28 performance-based goals. The other part of the incentive would include bonuses of up to $10,000 for demonstrated academic growth among students. This would position Pittsburgh Schools’ principals to make much more than with the step increase system.

Pittsburgh Schools initiated the pay for performance plan last year with the principals of the eight new accelerated learning academies. However, it is too soon to tell how much the students have benefited in that short period of time. Pittsburgh Schools have shown very small, very slow, improvement in meeting the AYP targets. Overall advances of 3% in 5th grade math and a record 9% in 8th grade reading do little to put Pittsburgh Schools where they need to be.

Is the pay for performance plan the answer? A rating scale using “rudimentary”, “emerging”, “proficient” and “accomplished” will be used in areas of academics, community relations and academic success. Pittsburgh Schools is one of many urban districts to grapple with the issues of meeting rising academic standards. The question of offering both administrators and teachers merit pay has bee a hot topic between unions and academic observers for decades. While the issue of bonus pay for performance has not often been used with Pittsburgh Schools’ teachers, if it is successful with the principals, teachers may not be far behind.

Will it work? Opponents have suggested that the academic world operates differently than the corporate one, and that incentives won’t work. Others insist that the lack of performance-based pay is one of the biggest problems with Pittsburgh Schools and public education as a whole. Stay tuned. Grading principals may be the most notable reform Pittsburgh Schools institute this year.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Pittsburgh Schools

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/will-grading-principal-improve-pittsburgh-schools-156084.html

Article Tags: Pittsburgh Schools

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

Medical School Admissions Tutorial

Play

Private High School Tips - How Many Schools to Apply

Play

Private High School Tips - Finding a Private High School

Play

Supporting A School-age Child After A School Shooting At Home

Play

How School-age Children React After A School Shooting

Latest Education Articles
More from Patricia Hawke

PSP Go Download Center For Games, Movies, Music

By: Peter Jackson | 31/12/2009
Do you want to find a website in which you can download all your favorite PSP games, movies and music without having to break your bank? It is not that hard really. All it takes is a little time and patience to find the perfect site to start downloading from. If you really want some PSP games, then take the time to look at the Internet and its many websites that offer "free" programs.

Is PSP Go Download Center downloading site a Scam or Real Deal?

By: Peter Jackson | 31/12/2009
More than likely if you've been searching for PSP Go games, you've come across some info about a site called the PSP Go Download Center. And if you're like me you probably wondered if PSP Go Download Center scam or an actual deal. Let me share with you my findings. A week or so ago I was online and doing a Google search for PSP Go games to find somewhere other than the Playstation store that I could get games for my new handheld. Through my searches I came across a couple places that talked abo

Why PSP Go Download Center is the Best Choice

By: Peter Jackson | 31/12/2009
So you just bought your PSP and you want to know which is the best site, to download all your stuff from. We say PSP GO Download Centre is the best choice for many reasons some of which are discussed belowFirstly, it has the biggest and largest database online keeping in mind the PSP Go. PSP Go Download Center contains over 200,000 Downloads making it the Biggest Database for the PSP and PSP GO!

Opportunities in the Police

By: Tobay Dytham Swifft | 31/12/2009
Many of us have considered joining the services at some stage in our lives whether its the medical, fire fighting or a law enforcing one. The thrill of pressure and making such a huge difference can be a hugely appealing for many of us who would seek to make the most of the time we can spend in work.

PSP Go games free download - You can download PSP Go games and more form PSP Go Download Center

By: Jack Corner | 31/12/2009
Do you want to get your favorite game for your new PSP Go? Do you want to spend thousand of dollars to find a new but a good game? So you have some options here. Buying games was for me a problem because if maybe I don’t like the game and I can’t refund my money. With PSP Go Download Center for one time fee I get all the games, if I don’t like a game, I can always download a new one without any extra fee! PSP Go Download Center is really a great site!

PSP Go Download Center – The Truth about PSP Go Download Center

By: Jack Corner | 31/12/2009
PSP Go Download Center is a membership based programs that providing game download service. Not only you can get your PSP game from Playstation store, you can also download them from a Sony licensed website like PSP Go Download Center. The program is legitimate because it has granted the license agreement from Sony Corp in order to provide games, movies and music under PSP trademark for download, so you wouldn’t have to worry about copyrighted materials when downloading from PSP Go Download Ce

Free Psp and PSP GO Games Downloads – Get Free Downloadable Psp Games

By: Peter Jackson | 31/12/2009
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as download free PSP games. Well, perhaps there are people who really offer free PSP games downloads but there is a risk associated there. Nothing in this life is for free except for the air that we breathe. Anyhow, there are certainly websites that offer free PSP files and free PSP games downloads. However, there may be certain terms and conditions that you may not like. The first option is per-to-peer file sharing. This means that as a member, you will be

Kids just love to explore Christmas holidays

By: deepti | 30/12/2009
When I was a kid , my mom read us Christmas stories extracted from Christian magazines, or borrowed from local library. These story times remain some of my most mesmerizing and cherished Christmas memories.

Dropout Rate in Detroit Schools Needs to be Addressed Now

By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | Education
Students at Detroit schools are leaving before graduation at a disturbing rate. Depending on which estimate you believe, the number ranges from 34 to 68%. Whichever number you decide is the right one, these levels are still far too high.

Dallas Schools Get Failing Grade for Teacher Ratings

By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | Education
There is a problem with the system being used to rate the performance of teachers at Dallas schools. Due to errors in coding or otherwise, some teachers are being rated based on classes they didn't teach or students who weren't assigned to them. This issue at Dallas schools needs to be dealt with immediately.

Cleveland Schools Need to Deal With Problem of Violence

By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | Education
The latest statistics on violence in Cleveland schools indicate that incidents are on the rise. Recent incidents involved an assault on a teacher and a principal getting injured while trying to break up a fight. It really shouldn't be all that surprising that violence acts are being committed in Cleveland schools when violence is so prevalent in our society as a whole.

Charlotte Schools Can't Bully Employees

By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | Education
Officials at Charlotte schools recently sent their 18,000 workers a form asking that each employee consent to a rigorous background check or be fired.

Baltimore Schools Students Will Benefit From Local Alliance

By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | Education
A new initiative at Baltimore schools provides yet another glimpse into the possibilities that a public school system can throw up for its students, if it only makes the effort. Baltimore schools have tied up with MedStar the Columbia based health care system, to offer students an opportunity to intern at health facilities.

Arizona Schools Must Fund English Programs Now

By: Patricia Hawke | 17/05/2008 | Education
In Arizona schools, it is estimated that 130,000 students have a language other than English as their first language. These youngsters are not fluent in English. Unless their English-language skills are brought up, how can they be expected to get a good education?

Virginia Schools Introduce Kids to Award-winning Author

By: Patricia Hawke | 10/09/2007 | Education
Middle school students attending two Virginia Schools have had the opportunity to meet an award-winning author. Sharon Flake has written a work of fiction about a 13-year-old African American girl who struggles to fit in with her peers.

Texas Schools Set an Example

By: Patricia Hawke | 10/09/2007 | Education
Texas school districts are enjoying a revival, and how! In recent years, the state’s schools are finding increased success meeting all the measures of a school’s success- motivated well performing students, and schools and teachers who set the bar higher for themselves.